4-star LB Elijah Groves commits to NC State Wolfpack

Cross Plains (Tenn.) East Robertson four-star linebacker Elijah Groves has committed to NC State.

He chose the Wolfpack just one day following his decommitment from Kentucky. He also held offers from Purdue, Virginia Tech and others.

Groves is the No. 254 overall prospect and No. 21 LB in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Tennessee.

For more NC State recruiting intel, check out The Wolfpacker.

Along with Purdue and UK, NC State was a finalist for Groves, but he chose the Wildcats on July 1. The Wolfpack remained involved in his recruitment and have now landed the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder.

Groves does not currently have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Wolfpack adds third blue-chip recruit to 2024 class

With the addition of Groves, NC State now has 21 commits in its 2024 recruiting class — which ranks No. 27 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The class also checks in at No. 5 in the ACC.

The Wolfpack have held on to the pledge of Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley four-star wide receiver Terrell Anderson, the top-ranked commit in the class. Georgia has pushed to flip the No. 148 recruit and No. 25 WR in the cycle, but he remains in the fold in Raleigh with National Signing Day two weeks away.

Burlington (N.C.) Hugh M. Cummings four-star running back Jonathan Paylor is right behind Anderson as the No. 158 prospect and No. 12 tailback in the cycle. He and Groves round out the trio of four-stars committed to Dave Doeren and Co. as of Dec. 6.

Groves is now the fourth linebacker in the class, joining Jonesboro (Ga.) Mundy’s Mill three-star Joshua Ofor, Huntington (W.V.) Cabell Midland three-star Cannon Lewis and Wake Forest (N.C.) three-star Zane Williams.

Other top commits in NC State’s class include: Alexandria (Ala.) Gulf Shores three-star athlete Ronnie Royal III, Huntington (W.V.) three-star interior offensive lineman Robby Martin, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna three-star quarterback Cedrick Bailey Jr. and Portsmouth (Va.) Mt. Zion three-star cornerback Asaad Brown.